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Coleorhizal Hairs in Germinating Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Francis E. Northam
Affiliation:
KSU Agric. Res. Ctr., 1232 240th Ave., Hays, KS 67601, ENortham@oznet.ksu.edu
Robert H. Callihan
Affiliation:
Dept. Plant, Soil and Entomol. Sci., Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843
Michelle M. Puchalski
Affiliation:
Dept. Plant, Soil and Entomol. Sci., Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843

Abstract

This study documented an undescribed aspect of medusahead germination behavior. Fibrous hairs were consistently observed growing from the coleorhizal surface of germinating medusahead seeds. Three medusahead accessions were investigated to determine temperature effects on coleorhizal hair growth and germination. Coleorhizal hair emergence at 8 C was first noted at 72 h. By 24 h at 18 C, 15 to 74% of seeds had hairs, and at 28 C, hairs were visible on 75 to 94% of seeds. Germination at 18 and 28 C was 80% at 96 h; germination at 8 C did not exceed 80% until 168 h. Less than 4% of germinated seeds were without coleorhizal hairs. Appearance of coleorhizal hairs confirmed that germinating medusahead embryos were active at least 72 h before germination was complete. These data affirm coleorhizal hairs are a normal part of medusahead germination biology. Coleorhizal hairs probably aid early phases of medusahead seedling establishment.

Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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